Tamper evident tag and method

Abstract

A tamper evident tag and a method of preventing the fraudulent return of an article back to a seller are provided. The tag includes inner and outer layers. A first end of a tag fastener is inserted through the article and through an aperture formed in the inner and outer layers of the tag. A unique code is printed on the tag. A portion of the inner layer of the tag is removed to expose an adhesive. The exposed adhesive is bought into contact with the inner layer of the tag to capture the first end of the tag fastener between the outer layer and the inner layer. The unique code is associated with the article for future reference.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of forming a tamper evident tag connectable to an article by a tag fastener, the tag fastener having first and second opposite terminal ends, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting the tag fastener through the article at a user selected location such that the second terminal end of the tag fastener retains the article on the tag fastener; 
 printing a unique code for the article on a second layer of a tamper evident tag; 
 inserting the first terminal end of the tag fastener through a first layer of the tamper evident tag and the second layer of the tamper evident tag such that the article and the first and second layers of the tamper evident tag are provided between the first terminal end and a second terminal end of the tag fastener, the second terminal end of the tag fastener being spaced from the tamper evident tag, the first layer being larger than the second layer; 
 folding a first portion of the first layer of the tamper evident tag over a second portion of the first layer so as to capture the second layer of the tamper evident tag between the first and second portions of the tamper evident tag and to capture the first terminal end of the tag fastener between the first portion of the first layer and the second layer of the tamper evident tag; 
 electronically recording the unique code of the article for future reference; 
 embedding the unique code of the article in a receipt provided to a customer upon purchase of the article; and 
 electronically comparing the recorded unique code with the unique code embedded in the receipt to confirm the article was purchased from the seller; 
 
       wherein;
 at least a portion of the first layer of tamper evident tag is transparent such that the printing on the second layer of the tamper evident tag is visible through the first layer of the tamper evident tag. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional step of printing security information on a first side of the second layer of the tamper evident tag. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein;
 the first layer includes first and second portions having adhesive thereon; 
 the second layer includes first and second portions, the first portion of the second layer being bound to the first portion of the first layer by the adhesive and the second portion of the second layer being removeably affixed to the second portion of the first layer. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  comprising the additional steps of:
 removing the second portion of the second layer from the second portion of the first layer to expose the adhesive on the second portion of the first layer; and 
 contacting the first portion of the second layer with the adhesive on the second portion of the first layer to affix the second portion of the first layer to the second layer. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the second portion of the second layer has a non-binding layer of material affixed thereto. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein the material is one of silicone and wax. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the second layer has a printable surface. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the unique code on the second layer of the tamper evident tag is at least one of a barcode and an alphanumeric code. 
     
     
       9. A method of preventing the fraudulent return of an article back to a seller, comprising the steps of:
 inserting a tag fastener through the article at a user selected location such that a second end of the tag fastener spaced from a tag and retains the article on the tag fastener; 
 inserting a first end of the tag fastener through an inner layer and an outer layer of the tag; 
 providing printed information on the inner layer of the tag, the printed information including a unique, electronically scannable code; 
 removing a portion of the inner layer of the tag to expose an adhesive; 
 contacting the exposed adhesive with the inner layer of the tag to capture the first end of the tag fastener between the outer layer and the inner layer; 
 electronically recording the unique code of the article for future reference; 
 embedding the unique code of the article in a receipt provided to a customer upon purchase of the article, the embedded unique code being scannable; 
 electronically scanning the receipt to obtain the embedded unique code; and 
 comparing the embedded unique code obtained from electronically scanning the receipt with the electronically recorded unique code to confirm the article was purchased from the seller; 
 
       wherein at least a portion of the outer layer of tag is transparent such that the printed information on the inner layer of the tag is visible through the outer layer of the tag. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  comprising the additional step of
 preventing the return of the article to the seller if the embedded unique code obtained from electronically scanning with the receipt is different than the electronically recorded unique code. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9  wherein the portion of the inner layer is coated with a releasable, non-binding agent. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the non-binding agent is silicone. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  wherein the portion of the inner layer is a first portion and wherein a second portion of the backing layer is free of the releasable, non-binding agent. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9  wherein the unique code includes at least one of a barcode and an alphanumeric code.